Death toll in building collapse in south India rises to 60

MUMBAI, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in a building collapse in the southern Indian city of Chennai has risen to 60, according to official data released on Thursday.

Ten more bodies have been recovered from the collapse site of an under-construction 11-storey building. Six days has passed, but rescue operations are still going on.

As many as 27 construction workers have been rescued from the debris on last Saturday evening.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday appointed a one-man committee headed by a former judge to probe reasons behind the collapse and suggest steps to prevent similar accidents. Retired Justice R Reghupathy will head the one-man panel, say reports.

Jayalalithaa confirmed that 60 people have lost their lives in the incident. She said the Justice Reghupathy Commission will probe the circumstances leading to the collapse.

Six people including the builder were arrested in connection with the collapse.

Building collapses are common in India where there is a high demand for housing. This is because of poor construction practices.

Some 74 people died after an eight-storey building collapsed in Mumbai in April last year.